"I think we've lost him" - Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal star has picked up injury in Brighton draw

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri is set for a spell on the sidelines after he picked up an injury against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, January 4. The 17-year-old played just 45 minutes for the Gunners as they dropped points against Brighton for a second time this season.

Arsenal lost star forward Bukayo Saka to a long-term hamstring injury in December, with experienced forward Raheem Sterling joining him on the sidelines. Arteta looked within his squad for solutions and turned to England U-19 star Nwaneri in their last two games. The youngster was on the scoresheet for his side but was withdrawn at half-time, with Arteta explaining in his post-match presser:

"Really bad news because I think we've lost him. We had to take him off at half-time with some muscular issues."

Ethan Nwaneri scored the opener for the Gunners in the first half before picking up his injury in only his second league start for his boyhood club. The substitution of the teenager was surprising given his effectiveness in the game, and many thought it was in a bid to manage his minutes. The young midfielder proved to be an adequate replacement for Saka in his two games and will be a big miss for Arsenal.

Arteta will have to turn back to Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli for the foreseeable future, while Saka, Sterling, and Nwaneri remain out. The Gunners may be forced to find solutions in the transfer market this month as they look to continue to challenge for silverware.

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Arsenal lose ground in title race

Arsenal dropped points at Brighton & Hove Albion after a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium. The Gunners are now five points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand.

Teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri opened the scoring for Mikel Arteta's side in the 16th minute, making history for the Gunners. He became the first player in the club's history to score two Premier League goals before turning 18.

Fabian Hurzeler's Brighton came from behind to snatch a point as they did at the Emirates in August. Joao Pedro won a penalty in the 61st minute following a foul from William Saliba, and the Brazilian dusted himself off to score the spot-kick for his side.

Neither side scored any more goals and settled for a point apiece.